6 exfoliating powders that will up your skincare game

Who doesn’t love the smooth silky skin that we get after exfoliating? Sometimes the difference is as dramatic as day and night as your skin goes from rough and dull to smooth, silky and bright.

Like many of you, I’ve used all sorts of exfoliators ranging from the coarsest of granules that felt like coarse sandpaper to ‘buff puffs’. The one conclusion that I have come to, is that even though I have combination skin, I really don’t like course granular face scrubs as they always feel too rough… don’t get me wrong, I know that they work really well for some of you but I get tense just thinking about them. So whats my preferred method of exfoliation? Well…you guessed it…I LOVE the results that I get from powdered exfoliators. I find them more ‘active’ and I love the fact that they ‘polish’ the skin, leaving it clean and silky. Here’s a selection that includes my current favourites as well as some I’ve just started to use. I’m happy to say that I enjoy using all of these, as they are all super effective exfoliators with zero sandpaper effect, they just effortlessly get rid of dead skin cells and clear congested pores and blackheads. So ultimately, it’s about ingredients and budget.

Dermalogica Daily Superfoliant

This is a real magic powder that contains active charcoal like their fab charcoal mask, which we reviewed before here.

It is a powerhouse exfoliator (the brand call it a resurfacer) that really does leave you with super smooth skin and is particularly useful for those focused on positive ageing. I love the fact that this includes the consistently popular charcoal which like in their charcoal face mask, works to purify the skin and absorb all of the nasty stuff that makes its way into our pores.

The other ingredients included in this formula is alpha hydroxy acid which are great for removing dead skin cells. There is the added bonus of red algae, Tara fruit extract and niacinamide which are known as antioxidants. Once mixed with water it releases it’s goodies as you massage it into your skin. Be mindful that you may experience a tingle with with this because of the acids (after my 3rd use the tingle subsided) it’s worth it to do a patch test before doing your whole face, especially if you have sensitive skin as with any product really.

This offering from holistic brand De Mamiel is unique because it is a real multitasker that you can use as an exfoliating cleanser or as a treatment. The brand call it “The Ultimate skin fix” – this facial superfood contains healing clays, plant and gem extracts as well as the scent of rose, which adds to the whole ‘mindful cleansing’ experience. Once you mix it with water, which activates it, this transforms from powder to paste and every time you use it, you are left with clean, smooth and glowing skin thanks to the powerful ingredients.

The ingredients – Vitamin C to brighten, colloidal oat to combat inflammation, raw cacao powders which are antioxidants, rhassoul and pink clay to absorb impurities & decongest all blended with calming gemstone powders. Again, this can be used daily or less for sensitive skin.

The Mauli Rituals Radiance Mask and Exfoliator

This Ayurvedic brand smells of pure sandalwood and Rose, which is immensely soothing every time you open the jar… providing a truly ‘mindful cleansing’ experience. It’s a pleasure to indulge in the ritual of having the powder in your hands, adding liquid, mixing it and transforming it into either an exfoliant or a mask. You can read more about this in our review here.

The brand says – “Either mix with your daily cleanser to supercharge your skincare routine and reveal instantly tighter, brighter skin or customise by mixing a few spoons with rose water or milk for a deeply detoxing face mask. With zero liquid a little goes a long way to help relieve dry skin, diminish scars, soothe fine lines and create a natural glow.”

This is a luxurious offering from Antonia Burrell Holistic skincare and is unique because it foams when mixed with water….you can add as little or as much water as you desire transforming it from a thick paste to a lush foam. As you’d expect from Antonia Burrell, this delivers on its promise to exfoliate, brighten and polish the skin. Everything in this product range is based on plant therapy so as you can imagine every ingredient here has a specific purpose. This is supremely effective while at the same time being gentle enough for sensitive skin. Plus this comes with a lovely silver spoon to help you to use the perfect amount for each polish.

This offering from Alpha H which harnesses the power of fruit enzymes to polish the skin, and is designed to be used daily if you wish. The water-activated enzymes of Papaya and Pineapple are gentle enough for sensitive skins and leave the skin brighter and smoother. As with everything that this fab brand produce, this is a winner and it comes in a specially designed container that dispenses just the right amount of product for each use.

The Ingredients It also contains Bentonite (Green Clay) for extra pore cleansing power. As this is designed as a gentle daily exfoliator, it is a great option for your morning cleanse.

Image Skincare Iluma Intense Brightening Exfoliating Powder

This offering from Image Skincare uses vitamin and protein rich as one of its key ingredients which helps with cell regeneration. Pumpkin enzyme provides gentle exfoliation and vitamins while the protein peptide blend is good for cell regeneration and for correcting uneven skin tones. It also smells good enough to eat thanks to the coconut milk powder.

The Brand Say – “This ultrasoft micro-exfoliating blend removes debris and oil from pores while providing long-term hydration and anti-aging benefits. Contains a new generation of natural botanicals, enzymes and antioxidants to help skin reach a new level of radiance. Paraben free.”